Method of externally passively loading an endoskeletal animal&#39;s body

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a method for temporarily increasing the mass of an animal&#39;s body. The invention is useful both as a means of correcting an animal&#39;s existing body condition as well as preventing an adverse change to its body condition.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of non-provisionalapplication Ser. No. 10/816,286 filed Apr. 1, 2004, which claims thebenefit of provisional application 60/459,713 filed Apr. 2, 2003, bothof which are herein incorporated in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for temporarily increasing themass of an endoskeletal animal's body. The invention is useful both as ameans of correcting an animal's existing body condition as well aspreventing an adverse change to its body condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The weight or mass of a person or animal is a function of its size, andis directly proportional to its volume. One cubic centimeter of waterhas a mass of one gram (under standard conditions). Animals, includinghumans, are predominantly water, so, with the combined mass from bodyfat, muscle tissue, and skeletal structure, humans are equal in mass toabout one gram per cubic centimeter.

Gaining weight increases pressure on the body and the body responds tothe increased stress on bone and other tissue by increasing the densityof the endoskeletal structure to support weight gain. Specifically,rather than the body keeping the same proportions to support theincreased pressure, the support structures (bones) become denser tosupport the pressure. One example of gaining weight through increasedpressure on the body is by lifting objects that are greater than onegram per cubic centimeter than the muscles that are lifting the weight.Humans exercise their muscles by repeatedly lifting over-weightedobjects, or by moving an apparatus that provides resistance, simulatingthe movement of weight. Many machines and apparatus that are designed toplace a load of weight on a specific muscle group exist and are commonlyknown as exercise machines. (See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,429,issued to Bushnell, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,712, issued to Lambert, Jr.,the teachings of which are both incorporated herein by reference.)

Losing body weight decreases the pressure on the body and results in aperson's endoskeletal structure becoming frail. Animals lose weight bycombining increased movement with a reduction in their nutritionalintake. Animals also lose weight by using nutritional supplements foundin nature, artificially produced pharmaceuticals, and other chemicalsthat consume more calories for the body to digest. These products andmethods create a net loss of body mass, including the loss of bonetissue. (See U.S. Pat. No. 6,204,291, issued to Sunvold, et al., andU.S. Pat. No. 5,055,460, issued to Friedlander, the teachings of whichboth are incorporated herein by reference.)

A lever is a simple machine that magnifies force. Levers are comprisedof a rigid bar (lever arm) a pivot point (fulcrum), a load force, and aneffort force. The effort force creates a torque around the fulcrum. Themagnitude of this torque is dependant on the magnitude of the force andits distance from the fulcrum. This torque must be balanced by thetorque created by the load force. Changing the distance from the fulcrumto the load force changes the amount of force magnification. The body ofanimals, and specifically the endoskeletal structure of humans, works asmultiple levers when a load force is introduced to the body.

Three main types of levers exist: first-class, second-class, andthird-class.

A first-class lever has the fulcrum located between the effort force andthe load force on the lever arm. An example of a first-class lever is aseesaw.

A second-class lever has the effort located between the fulcrum and theload on the lever arm. An example of a second-class lever is awheelbarrow.

A third-class lever has the effort located between the load and thefulcrum. An example of this type of lever is a human forearm lifting aweight.

An endoskeletal animal has support structures (bones) located within itsbody to provide rigidity and facilitate movement against gravity. Bonesand associated structures are used in ordinary life as first, second andthird class levers by lifting, pushing, pulling etc. Muscles areattached to and cause bones to move. For a muscle to move an appendagein one direction a separate opposing muscle or muscle group must existto be able to move the appendage in a different direction.

Muscles thus work together, simultaneously stretching and lengtheningcorresponding (opposing) muscles or groups of muscles. Tight or tonedmuscles on one side of the bone can cause the other side to over stretchand weaken. Muscles that are more developed on one side of the body thanthe other consequently lead to physical imbalance of the body ingeneral, and create problems for continued bone development, anddegradation over the life of the animal. Anatomical imbalance of musclesand repetition of any activity (including general movement) leads toproblems with proper movement and performance of ordinary tasks.

Increasingly, the condition of osteoporosis (the loss of bone density)in animals has become prevalent for a variety of natural (internal) andenvironmental (external) reasons. External reasons, among others,include the use of substances to balance hormones in females and males,and the loss of weight with and without exercise. Natural causes, amongothers, include the combined reduction of proper nutrition for the bodyand heavy lifting in the daily regimen of humans and other endoskeletalanimals. Bone density can only be increased or maintained during aperiod of weight loss or weight maintenance by increasing gravity on thebones.

The use of weighted apparatus' being worn on the body to increaseresistance or increase gravity is not new. For example, an “ankleweight” apparatus is a known and commonly used form of exerciseequipment. The weighted apparatus is placed far from the knee joint,above the foot of an animal. As the motion of walking, running orjumping moves the weighted apparatus, the load force to the knee jointis magnified, or increased, in an unnatural, non-dispersed fashion.Gravity on a specific body part is not increased as all of the weight istransferred to the joint. Another weighted body apparatus is a “weightvest” or “weight belt” that is placed around the torso of a person oranimal. This weighted apparatus simply works to lower the center ofgravity, placing stress on the lower back and transferring the weight tothe hip and knee joints. It is commonly used to help buoyant peoples andanimals become less buoyant when intending to swim under the surface ofwater with the use of an under-water breathing apparatus. The knownweighted devices of these types are worn transiently with indifferenceto the muscles, muscle groups, and skeletal structure that is beingimpacted. What is clearly therefore needed are methods and devices thatcan increase the mass of an animal's body in specific areas to achieve asafe and desired outcome.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a human body, identifying the appendagejoints.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a human body, identifying the midjointareas.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a human body having the present inventionemplaced thereon.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of an embodiment of a weight used in the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the weight shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a composite weight.

FIG. 6 a shows a side view of the composite weight of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of another embodiment of a composite weight.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the composite weight embodiment shownin FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of a compositeweight.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the composite weight embodiment shown inFIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows a front view of an upper body garment with long sleeveshaving means to receive weights.

FIG. 12 shows a front view of a long legged pair of trousers havingmeans to receive weights.

FIG. 13 shows a front view of an upper body garment with short sleeveshaving means to receive weights.

FIG. 14 shows a front view of a pair of short trousers having means toreceive weights.

FIG. 15 shows a front view of a pair of trousers with mid-length legshaving means to receive weights.

FIG. 16 shows a side view of a stocking having means to receive weights.

FIG. 17 shows a top view of an embodiment of a weight used in thepresent invention.

FIG. 18 shows a side view of the weight shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 shows a top view of a composite weight.

FIG. 20 shows a side view of the composite weight of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 shows a top view of another embodiment of a composite weight.

FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of the composite weight embodimentshown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of a compositeweight.

FIG. 24 shows a side view of the composite weight embodiment shown inFIG. 23.

FIG. 25 shows a view of a weight surgically implanted into a human arm.

FIG. 26 shows a pocket attached to a long sleeved upper body garment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates a passive load bearing method thatcan be externally worn. In accordance with the present invention, thepassive load bearing method is based on the principle that opposingmuscle groups, both individually and on the corresponding side of thebody, must be exercised to keep a body fit, balanced and healthy. Thepresent invention can assist in correcting the imbalance in an animalthat is born with such an unbalanced condition, or prophylactic use ofthe present invention can help to avert this condition by increasingmuscle mass and bone density. Normal motion and growth of an animal withthe present invention externally worn by such an animal will balance themuscles and skeletal system when used correctly during active andpassive muscle movement. Use of the system and method by an animal withan endoskeleton strengthens corresponding muscle groups, increases bonedensity, and helps to maintain or increase body balance. Accordingly,with use of the present invention when losing weight, the density ofbones and tissue will be maintained or increased, and the supportstructures (bones) will continue to remain healthy, avoidingosteoporosis.

In a further embodiment, the invention comprises a method of externallypassively loading an endoskeletal animal's body to increase gravity andmass. The invention comprises the steps of determining a midjointlocation on an appendage where a weight is required to treat the animal.The mass of the weight required to treat the animal is determined. Theperiod of time necessary for treatment is also determined. A garmenthaving a weight receiving means at the determined midjoint location isprovided. The determined weight is inserted into the weight receivingmeans. The weight is secured in the weight receiving means and theanimal dons the garment for the determined period of time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Definitions

“Appendage” refers to an arm or leg of an endoskeletal animal.

“Joint” refers to an articulation between two or more bones of anappendage of an endoskeletal animal.

“Midjoint” refers to a point between two joints of an appendage of anormal animal.

“Weight” means an object weighing more than 1 gram per cubic centimeteror a composite object comprising a plurality of single objects weighingmore than 1 gram per cubic centimeter attached to a substrate material.

NOMENCLATURE

-   10 Weight (generic)-   20 Planar Sub-Weight-   22 Substrate-   24 Composite Weight-   25 Breathable Encapsulation Material-   26 Cylindrical Sub-Weight-   28 Substrate-   30 Breathable Encapsulation Material-   29 Composite Weight-   32 Spherical Sub-Weight-   34 Substrate-   36 Breathable Encapsulation Material-   37 Composite Weight-   38 Long Sleeved Upper Body Garment-   40 Pocket-   41 Closure Flap-   42 Long Legged Trousers-   44 Short Sleeved Upper Body Garment-   46 Short Legged Trousers-   48 Mid-Length Trousers-   49 Stocking-   50 l Shoulder Joint (left)-   50 r Shoulder Joint (right)-   51 l First Midjoint Area (left)-   51 r First Midjoint Area (right)-   52 l Elbow Joint (left)-   52 r Elbow Joint (right)-   53 l Second Midjoint Area (left)-   53 r Second Midjoint Area (right)-   54 l Wrist Joint (left)-   54 r Wrist Joint (right)-   55 l Third Midjoint Area (left)-   55 r Third Midjoint Area (right)-   56 l Hip Joint (left)-   56 r Hip Joint (right)-   57 l Fourth Midjoint Area (left)-   57 r Fourth Midjoint Area (right)-   58 l Knee Joint (left)-   58 r Knee Joint (right)-   60 l Ankle Joint (left)-   60 r Ankle Joint (right)-   110 Weight (generic)-   120 Planar Sub-Weight-   122 Substrate-   124 Composite Weight-   125 Impenetrable Encapsulation Material-   126 Cylindrical Sub-Weight-   127 Grommet-   128 Substrate-   130 Impenetrable Encapsulation Material-   129 Composite Weight-   132 Spherical Sub-Weight-   134 Substrate-   136 Impenetrable Encapsulation Material-   137 Composite Weight    Construction

Specifically, the invention comprises a system and method of placingincreased, symmetrically balanced passive load bearing weights inspecific anatomical locations that can be worn externally on, orimplanted in, the body of animals with an endoskeleton. By doing so thegravitational pull on the body increases and the corresponding densityof the endoskeleton and the mass of the organism increases. Thecorresponding increase in endoskeletal mass is no different than thenormal response of the body to weight increase and decrease that occursthroughout the course of an animal's natural life.

The external embodiment of the weight 10, 20, 24, 26, 29, 32, 37 is madeof any substance with the effective mass of greater than one gram perone cubic centimeter. Such materials include, but are not limited tocarbon, tungsten, stainless steel, or other minerals or combinations ofminerals that exist in nature. As an example, Carbon steel has arelative true density of 7.9 grams per cubic centimeter. Zirconium oxidehas a relative true density of 5.5 grams per cubic centimeter andzirconium silicate has a relative true density of 4.5 grams per cubiccentimeter. Materials such as these are examples of substances thatcould be used for incorporation in practicing the passive load bearingsystem and method. In the external embodiment, the weight 10, 20, 24,26, 29, 32, 37 is encapsulated in a breathable material 25, 30, 36 toalleviate the buildup of moisture on the surface of the animal'sappendage. The external embodiment can be symmetrical or asymmetrical asrequired by the animal's condition and can be tailored to fit to thesize of an individual animal to meet the need for proper continuedplacement. Proper placement of the passive load device on and around thebody is important to avoid potential muscle imbalance or inappropriatestress on joints and tendons. The present invention rectifies thispotential problem by ensuring secure placement of the weight 10, 20, 24,26, 29, 32, 37, at the midjoint area 51 l, 51 r, 53 l, 53 r, 55 l, 55 r,57 l, 57 r of an appendage and dispersing the weight 10, 20, 24, 26, 29,32, 37, around the body part in equal fashion. The weight 10, 20, 24,26, 29, 32, 37 is firmly secured to the body to eliminate any potentialslipping. The external embodiment incorporates the weight 10, 20, 24,26, 29, 32, 37, into commonly worn garments such as stockings 49, longlegged trousers 42, mid-calf trousers 48, mid-thigh shorts 46, and long38 and short 44 sleeved upper body garments (e.g., shirts). In apreferred embodiment, the external weight 10, 20, 24, 26, 29, 32, 37fits into a specially designed circumferential pocket 40 in theappropriate midjoint location of the various garments 38, 42, 44, 46,48, 49. The pocket 40 may be provided with a closure flap 41 as seen inFIG. 26. The closure flap 41 may be provided with securing means such ashook and loop fastening material (not shown). The present inventionfurther contemplates securing the weight(s) 10, 20, 24, 26, 29, 32, 37to externally worn garments 38, 42, 44, 46, 48, 49 by other means,including, but not limited to, hooks, hook and loop fastener (notshown), buttons (not shown), snaps (not shown), elastic (not shown) andpermanent or temporary adhesives (not shown).

Also contemplated by and therefore within the scope of the invention isa harness device (not shown) provided with means for receiving theweight 10, 20, 24, 26, 29, 32, 37 that is worn underneath regularclothing.

FIG. 1 shows a normal, intact human body (unnumbered) and identifies theappendage joints as shoulder 50 l, 50 r, elbow 52 l, 52 r, wrist 54 l,54 r, hip 56 l, 56 r, knee 58 l, 58 r, and ankle 60 l, 60 r. In cases ofabnormality or amputation, not all limbs and/or joints may be present ina human body.

FIG. 2 defines the first midjoint area 51 l, 51 r as between theshoulder 50 l, 50 r and elbow 52 l, 52 r. The second midjoint area 53 l,53 r is the area extending between the elbow 52 l, 52 r and the wrist 54l, 54 r. The third midjoint area 55 l, 55 r extends between the hip 56l, 56 r and knee 58 l, 58 r. The fourth midjoint area 57 l, 57 rlikewise extends between the knee 58 l, 58 r and the ankle 60 l, 60 r.In identifying the midjoint areas 51 l, 51 r, 53 l, 53 r, 55 l, 55 r, 57l, 57 r it is intended that the area extends between the sequentialareas of a particular limb, for example, the area between 58 l and theankle 60 l.

FIG. 3 shows a normal, intact human body (unnumbered) following externalplacement of weights 10 at the midjoint areas 51 l, 51 r, 53 l, 53 r, 55l, 55 r, 57 l, 57 r. It should be mentioned that the designation forweight 10 as used in FIG. 3 represents weights 20, 24, 26, 29, 32, 37 ofany configuration that meet the criteria specified herein, and isincluded to illustrate proper placement and should therefore not beconsidered limiting. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the weight 20 can beof a planar nature and used alone. In an alternative embodiment, asshown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 6 a, the individual planar weights 20 couldalso be attached to a substrate 22 which may be flexible in nature toform a composite weight unit 24. The composite weight unit 24 is coveredwith a breathable encapsulation material 25. In a preferred embodiment,the breathable encapsulation material 25 is made of a breathable fabricsuch as nylon, cotton or other well known materials that can be sewntogether or sealed with an adhesive or heat application, to provideencapsulation. In an alternative embodiment, the weight 20, 26, 32 couldbe placed inside a polymeric extrusion and the extrusion could then besealed using known techniques such as heat sealing. In each of theseembodiments, the encapsulated weight 20, 26, 32 is mounted to asubstrate 22, 28, 34 either before or after encapsulation. The substrate22, 28, 34 would be used for accurate and easy placement of the passiveload bearing system. In the internally emplaced embodiments,biocompatible materials would need to be used to prevent infection andother complications occurring as a result of a foreign object beingimplanted into the body. This includes the encapsulating, weighted andsubstrate components.

An additional weight embodiment is shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, in whicha cylindrical weight 26 is attached to a substrate 28. An encapsulatingmaterial 30 covers the cylindrical weights 26 to form composite weight29.

Yet another weight embodiment is shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 wherein aspherical weight 32 is attached to a substrate 34. A breathableencapsulating material 36 covers the spherical weights 32 to form acomposite weight 37.

The above embodiments of weights 10, 20, 24, 26, 29, 32, 37, areintended to be illustrative in nature only and therefore not limitingthe scope of the invention. In reality, any shape or kind of weightmeeting the criteria as discussed herein could be used. It should befurther mentioned that the invention contemplates the composite weights24, 29, 37, 124, 129, 137 as having the corresponding individual weights20, 26, 32, 120, 126, 130 loosely received within the encapsulationmaterial 25, 30, 36, 125, 130, 136. This embodiment allows the compositeweights 24, 29, 37, 124, 129, 137 to be self centering when the animalmoves, thus more facilitating more equitable weight distribution.

FIG. 11 shows a long sleeved upper body garment 38 which is providedwith a pocket 40 to receive a weight 10, 20, 24, 26, 29, 32, 37 at thefirst 51 l, 51 r and second 53 l, 53 r midjoint areas of the arm. Asdiscussed above, other weight receiving means include hooks,hook-and-loop fastening material, buttons, snaps, elastic, permanent ortemporary adhesives. Additionally, any type of fastener capable ofsecuring a weight to a particular location on an item of clothing isalso considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a long-legged pair of trousers 42 provided with pocket 40at the first 55 l, 55 r and second 57 l, 57 r midjoint areas.

FIG. 13 shows a short sleeved upper garment 44 provided with pocket 40at the first midjoint area 51 l, 51 r.

FIG. 14 shows a short legged pair of trousers 46 provided with pocket 40at the third midjoint area 55 l, 55 r.

FIG. 15 shows a mid length pair of trousers 48 provided with pocket 40at the third 55 l, 55 r and fourth 57 l, 57 r midjoint areas.

FIG. 16 shows a stocking 49 provided with pocket 40 at the fourthmidjoint area 57 l, 57 r.

As discussed above, the invention contemplates garments that arecommonly worn, however the commonly known garments do not have a pocket40 for receiving weight(s) 10, 20, 24, 26, 29, 32, 37 located in themidjoint area(s) 51 l, 51 r, 53 l, 53 r, 55 l, 55 r, 57 l, 57 r. In theexternal embodiment, the method is used with such a garment to insurethat the fulcrum effect is eliminated and the entire passive load isequally and preferentially circumferentially dispersed around theappendage.

The external passive load bearing device is modular in design, such thatweight(s) 10, 20, 24, 26, 29, 32, 37 can be added or subtracted andbalance around the appendage is maintained. To achieve this we envisionthe system and method utilizing equal amounts of weight placed into asegment of flexible, possibly molded material, and other segments ofsimilar or more weight could be placed over, or instead of the firstencapsulation to gain, or subtract weight.

The implantable embodiment is placed permanently or temporarily underthe skin and anchored in muscle tissue in the midjoint areas 51 l, 51 r,53 l, 53 r, 55 l, 55 r, 57 l, 57 r to properly weight and balance thetissue and skeleton. As shown in FIGS. 17-24 the implantable weight 124,129, 137 is encapsulated 125, 130, 136 in biocompatible material withgrommets 127 extending through the substrate 122, 128, 134 for guidingsutures to maintain proper placement and ease of removal of the weight124, 129, 137. The implantable weight 124, 129, 137 is made of knownbiocompatible materials that are used in cardiac pacemakers, syntheticjoints, breast implants or other implantable grade materials known tothe medical community. Examples of such materials include but are notlimited to stainless steel, nickel-titanium alloys and other commonlyknown materials that do not create an irritation or reaction with animaltissue or blood. The devices could also be made of implantable,biocompatible materials that are not yet known. For proper results andto avoid destroying the ergonomic nature of the body, the weight 124,129, 137 has a mass of greater than one gram per one cubic centimeter.This is greater than the mass of the animal that it is placed in.

Surgical Placement. Using well known and practiced surgical techniques,a sterile field is created, and an incision appropriate in length madein the skin of the animal, deep enough to expose the first layer ofmuscle in the animal. The device is then inserted around and over themuscle tissue, under the layers of skin, and other fascia, in acircumferential fashion, by pushing the composite weight 124, 129, 137into the surgically created space. Further dissection of any adhesionsof the fascia to the muscle may be required. The composite weight 124,129, 137 is then adhered to the muscle tissue using a dissolving suture,ligament or other cordlike structure, by sewing it through the grommets127 in the substrate 122, 128, 134 and surrounding the composite weight124, 129, 137 in the location on only one end—the end of the device thatis seen after inserting the composite weight 124, 129, 137. Thecomposite weight 124, 129, 137 can then be externally manipulated toverify further correct placement. As shown in FIG. 25, the weight 10extends around the first midjoint area (left) 51 l under the patient'sskin (unnumbered), over the layers of muscle (unnumbered) and bone(unnumbered).

Use

Practicing the system and method involves determining the amount of massrequired and the anatomical location(s) on the animal's body where theweight is required and also the length of time necessary for treatment.The appropriate weight is then selected and placed at and secured to theappropriate midjoint location on the animal's appendage for thedetermined length of treatment.

In the case of the external embodiment, the animal dons the appropriateitem(s) of clothing (fitted with the appropriate weight 10, 20, 24, 26,29, 32, 37 in the appropriate location) as directed by the physician,veterinarian, physical therapist, or trainer for the duration oftreatment. Following completion of treatment, the garment 38, 42, 44,46, 48, 49 is simply removed.

In the case of the implantable embodiment, the physician or veterinarianfollows the implantation procedure described above and surgicallyimplants the appropriate composite weight 124, 129, 137 in theappropriate location. The implanted composite weight 124, 129, 137 isthen secured as described above and the incision closed. FIG. 25 showsthe composite weight 124, 129, 137 following implantation in a patient.Following completion of treatment, the physician or veterinarianre-exposes the composite weight 124, 129, 137, removes the implantedcomposite weight 124, 129, 137 and closes the incision following normalprocedures.

1. A method of externally passively loading an endoskeletal animal'sbody to increase gravity and mass, comprising the steps of: a.determining a midjoint location on an appendage where a weight isrequired to treat the animal; b. determining a mass of the weightrequired to treat the animal; c. determining a period of time necessaryfor treatment; d. providing a garment having at least one pocket at thedetermined midjoint location; e. inserting the determined weight intothe pocket; f. securing the weight in the weight receiving means; and g.donning the garment by the animal for the determined period.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the pocket is circumferentially disposed onthe garment.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the weight has a mass ofgreater than one gram per cubic centimeter.
 4. The method of claim 1wherein the garment is a long sleeved upper body garment.
 5. The methodof claim 1 wherein the garment is a long legged pair of trousers.
 6. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the garment is a short sleeved upper bodygarment.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the garment is a short leggedpair of trousers.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the garment is amid-length pair of trousers.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein thegarment is a stocking.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality ofpockets is provided at the determined midjoint location.
 11. The methodof claim 10 wherein the plurality of pockets is sequentially placed atlinear locations along the endoskeletal animal's appendage.